This story first appeared at Insider Louisville and is reposted here with permission.Since June, a large mobile van parked outside the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness on East Gray Street downtown has been the frontline of Louisville’s battle against its heroin epidemic. Inside is the first free syringe exchange program in the state, made possible by the state legislature this year and passed unanimously by Metro Council in April.The primary goal of this program is to prevent an outbreak of HIV and Hepatitis C cases in Louisville, which is precisely what happened 35 miles north in Scott County, Ind., earlier this year. Due to the rampant use of shared needles among heroin users in the tiny rural town of Austin – with a population of 4,200 – 181 people contracted HIV and 167 contracted Hepatitis C. According to the figures of the health department, if such a proportional outbreak was to happen in Louisville, those numbers would be 30,000 and 25,000, respectively, with treatment costs estimated to be a staggering $40 billion.But preventing the spread of blood-borne disease among intravenous drug users is far from the only goal or intended benefit of the program, as Insider Louisville observed for eight hours over two afternoons last week while sitting in with health department counselor Matt La Rocco as he spoke with participants in the program.Observing over 70 participants in this period, La Rocco discussed the extent of their drug use, then gave them the corresponding amount of new syringes for the next week, along with other supplies like empty tea candle tins, containers of sterile water, small cotton balls, tourniquets and a storage bin that can hold up to 50 used syringes. Those who were new to the clinic received free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, as well as a variety of pamphlets on disease prevention and drug treatment.But most of these patients received much more than clean supplies, pamphlets and a blood test. La Rocco dispelled misinformation about how such diseases are contracted; taught users about how to prevent track marks, wounds and infections from improperly inserting needles; gave warnings to those most at risk for an overdose or physical injury; and spent hours going over treatment options that will help them overcome their addictions – if they so choose.For those patients who were the most distraught at where they found themselves in life – hopelessly addicted, severely depressed and not knowing what to do next – he served as a person to talk to about their troubles without casting judgement, at times providing a shoulder to cry on.La Rocco told Insider Louisville they expected to serve around 500 people at this early point in the program, but as of early December, 1,450 people had participated, with 44 percent of those returning at least once. Last week, 76 percent were returning participants.“It’s not that there are more addicts in Louisville than we thought,” said La Rocco. “We just didn’t know that this program would be so popular. Most programs take years to get off the ground and have this type of participation.”La Rocco partly credits the large number of participants to the credibility of the health department, but also to the respectful and nonjudgemental manner in which he, fellow Volunteers of America counselor Donald Davis and the nurses treat clients, which has helped build trust.“We show that we care for these people,” said La Rocco. “We get them jackets in the winter if they’re living on the street. They’re treated with respect, like people. It’s important to be kind, loving and compassionate. They also know they will get good, unbiased treatment. All of that together has drawn people in.”The numbers, the people, and building trust -- Read the rest of this article on Insider Louisville

Since June, a large mobile van parked outside the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness on East Gray Street downtown has been the frontline of Louisville’s battle against its heroin epidemic. Inside is the first free syringe exchange program in the state, made possible by the state legislature this year and passed unanimously by Metro Council in April.

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The primary goal of this program is to prevent an outbreak of HIV and Hepatitis C cases in Louisville, which is precisely what happened 35 miles north in Scott County, Ind., earlier this year. Due to the rampant use of shared needles among heroin users in the tiny rural town of Austin – with a population of 4,200 – 181 people contracted HIV and 167 contracted Hepatitis C. According to the figures of the health department, if such a proportional outbreak was to happen in Louisville, those numbers would be 30,000 and 25,000, respectively, with treatment costs estimated to be a staggering $40 billion.

But preventing the spread of blood-borne disease among intravenous drug users is far from the only goal or intended benefit of the program, as Insider Louisville observed for eight hours over two afternoons last week while sitting in with health department counselor Matt La Rocco as he spoke with participants in the program.

Observing over 70 participants in this period, La Rocco discussed the extent of their drug use, then gave them the corresponding amount of new syringes for the next week, along with other supplies like empty tea candle tins, containers of sterile water, small cotton balls, tourniquets and a storage bin that can hold up to 50 used syringes. Those who were new to the clinic received free HIV and Hepatitis C testing, as well as a variety of pamphlets on disease prevention and drug treatment.

But most of these patients received much more than clean supplies, pamphlets and a blood test. La Rocco dispelled misinformation about how such diseases are contracted; taught users about how to prevent track marks, wounds and infections from improperly inserting needles; gave warnings to those most at risk for an overdose or physical injury; and spent hours going over treatment options that will help them overcome their addictions – if they so choose.

For those patients who were the most distraught at where they found themselves in life – hopelessly addicted, severely depressed and not knowing what to do next – he served as a person to talk to about their troubles without casting judgement, at times providing a shoulder to cry on.

La Rocco told Insider Louisville they expected to serve around 500 people at this early point in the program, but as of early December, 1,450 people had participated, with 44 percent of those returning at least once. Last week, 76 percent were returning participants.

“It’s not that there are more addicts in Louisville than we thought,” said La Rocco. “We just didn’t know that this program would be so popular. Most programs take years to get off the ground and have this type of participation.”

La Rocco partly credits the large number of participants to the credibility of the health department, but also to the respectful and nonjudgemental manner in which he, fellow Volunteers of America counselor Donald Davis and the nurses treat clients, which has helped build trust.

“We show that we care for these people,” said La Rocco. “We get them jackets in the winter if they’re living on the street. They’re treated with respect, like people. It’s important to be kind, loving and compassionate. They also know they will get good, unbiased treatment. All of that together has drawn people in.”